Shire of Augusta-Margaret River funding fillip for interactive public art trail

A long-held Shire ambition to bring a public art trail to life will get off the ground thanks to a new $25,000 grant. The State Government funding fillip would gain a further $10,000 from taxpayers thanks to the South West Development Commission. The plan involves an interactive trail connecting about 50 significant public artworks across the region. Highlights range from Ian Mutch’s work at Riflebutts to coastal sculptures, business murals and often-unnoticed international graffiti next to Drift Café. Shire community planning and development co-ordinator Jason Cleary said the concept first emerged in 2020. “The Shire looks forward to working with Creative Corner, the Arts and Culture working group, the artists themselves, and with Traditional Owners across this project,” he said. “When completed, it will provide an interactive and detailed trail of publicly-accessible artworks throughout the shire, and showcase some of the artists who make up this amazing creative community.” The project was also seen as an economic investment in the local economy, with local operators responsible for commissioning some of the attractions able “to consider ways to leverage and promote the trails”. Warren-Blackwood MLA Jane Kelsbie said the project would harness visitor interest to put many of the artworks “on the map”. “The shire of Augusta-Margaret River has a thriving arts community and I’m really keen to see this art trail come to life,” she said. Funding came from the Regional Arts and Cultural Investment Program’s Leveraged Creative and Cultural Planning Program for regional local governments.